The first group of four power generating units in the Three Gorges area is expected to begin operation this year as scheduled after the acquisition of a water- use right from the Yangtze River Water Resources Committee.

The right owned by the Three Gorges Project Development Company allows the 14 power generating units on the southern bank of the Yangtze River to consume an annual maximum of 232.3 billion cubic meters of water for hydro-electricity.

According to a company plan, two 700,00-kw power generating units will be put into operation in August and another two will begin operation in October.

Once the principal part of the project for 12 power generating units on the northern bank of the river is completed, another water-use right allowing an annual water consumption of 198.9 billion cubic meters will be granted.

To guarantee the operation of the largest water conservancy project in China, the committee agreed in 1996 the application of the company for an annual water consumption of 431.3 billion cubic meters.

Of the total, 85.77 million cubic meters of water will be used to meet construction and domestic purposes.

According to China's Water Law, water resources are state assets. To draw water from a particular source, such as a lake, an irrigation canal or a river, official licenses are required.

Since the system was implemented in 1993, more than 100,000 water-use rights have been granted in the Yangtze River valley, which allow a total annual water consumption of 1.05 trillion cubic meters, of which 930 billion cubic meters in used in hydro- electricity.

Construction of the Three Gorges Project began in 1993 and is expected to be completed in 2009, when the 26 power generating units with a combined capacity of 18.2 million kw will go into operation.

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